WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass.-Despite a 44 save performance by freshman Ty Reichenbach (Billings, Mont.), the American International ice hockey team dropped a 6-3 decision to the Mercyhurst Lakers in the opening half of the season series.

The Lakers improve to 6-7-1 overall and 4-1-0 in league play with the win, while AIC drops to 3-6-0 on the year and 3-3-0 in the AHA.

After a scoreless first period, the Lakers jumped out to a 2-0 lead on a pair of goals by junior forward Daniel Bahntge, both of which came off of rebounds. AIC would then cut into the lead on the power play as the trio of freshman right wing David Norris (Calgary, Alb.), senior left wing Jon Puskar (Canton, Mich.), and junior center Alexander MacMillan (Calgary, Alb.) combined to cash in a goal by MacMillan in front at 14:05 on his sixth of the year.

However, Mercyhurst would regain the two-goal edge moments later when Bahntge banged home a puck to finish the hat trick at 14:42. They extended the lead to 4-1 early in the third when junior forward Nardo Nagtzaam fired a blast under the glove of Reichenbach at 2:36.

AIC got back within two when senior center and captain Blake Peake (Lethbridge, Alb.) and Puskar broke in on a two-on-none that happened when Peake stole the puck from a defenseman at his own blue-line; Peake dished to Puskar for a tap-in that was his fourth of the campaign at 6:08. However, once again the Lakers would strike back quickly, as junior forward Matthew Zay fired a wrist shot through a screen at 7:27.

The Jackets got a late major power play after senior forward Daniel O'Donoghue was ejected for a hit to the head and they scored a goal on it, as junior center Brandon Fagerheim (Calgary, Alb.) connected with freshman right wing Mike Dietrich (Southampton, N.J.), who then found sophomore Chris Porter (Stoufville, Ont.) all alone in front for his third of the year at 17:30. Lakers junior forward Ryan Misiak would hit an empty net with 1.3 left in regulation to seal the win.

Reichenbach allowed five goals on the night, but stopped 44 shots, including several spectacular saves on breakaways and point-blank chances. The loss drops him to 2-3-0 on the year. Junior Jimmy Sarjeant picked up the victory with 26 saves on 29 shots, improving to 6-3-1 on the year.

The two teams return to action tomorrow at 3:05 p.m. at the Olympia Ice Center.